Monday, January 25, 2010

New Silhouettes.

Well, I guess the title should actually be "New Silhouette," because I have only done Rick's. (I won't pay full price for the wooden plaques, of course, so I have to use once-a-week coupons to get them. That means three more weeks until I can finish!)

But I do like how it turned out, so I wanted to share the one finished product. I don't know why I have always been scared of Mod Podge, but thanks to Hannah's advice, I faced my fear!

Will post more pictures when all four are hanging above the piano. Until then, here's our littlest piano player.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

The pep talk.

"Now, WHAT do you do when you get that funny feeling in your tummy?"
I was SO stressed out about officially potty training, but it is no big deal.
I just put him in underwear one day last week and had him go every 20 minutes or so. Discovering the potties at Wal Mart and Lowe's were the highlight of that first day.

My big boy stays dry all day long! An m&m is enough of a reward for that, however, he DOES have issues making it to the potty in time to avoid stinky underwear. Any advice on that front?

Luckily I'm used to cleaning out cloth diapers, so potty training really has been fun so far!!

Now I feel funny writing a public blog post about the potty, but hey, it's a big deal for our Carson!

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Forgotten Pictures.

Oh heavens, I've found another batch of pictures from Christmas vacation. Excuse me while I post them, although it's old news now!

Visiting with our good friend, Kent. We do miss Virginia!

Fun with Pappy at Jumpin' Jacks. Carson still talks about this place.

I actually had a lot of fun at this place, too!


And the family New Year's party. Sadie made Carson the most adorable little box and book. He appropriately calls it his"cute book."

And Jana's gift to Everett included a matching hat, scarf and blanket. Perfect!!
We made headbands for Sadie and Jana. They were so fun to make, and halfway through I thought of doing velcro on the ribbon-covered headband so they could switch the flowers.
Jana, our headband model.
Rick and sisters.

Friday, January 15, 2010

Monster versus Puppy.

Most nights, at some point our boys are wrestling on mommy and daddy's bed. It is so funny to throw them both on the bed and just see what they do. You think Everett is just this mellow baby until you let him loose on a big bed, and suddenly he's diving in the pillows and laughing his head off.

Anyway, this particular night, Carson happened to be in a monster costume. Everett is himself, but Carson always assumes that Everett is being a puppy. He crawls around, drools, etc., so I guess you can see where he gets the idea.

That is why we call this video Monster versus Puppy. Don't be confused by Carson referring to himself as a football player, and then a basketball player. He switches quite frequently!







Sunday, January 10, 2010

Two things I love about two pictures.

1. I love my new chalkboard vinyl. I'll make you some too!

2. I love my new triple steamer. I can cook three kinds of baby food at once, on one burner. Or dinner in the bottom pot and vegetables in the top two. This thing is amazing, and only 20 bucks at Aldi for you locals.


1. I love comparing these two boys' facial features. The eyes, the nose, etc. etc. etc.

2. I (don't) love, but do think it is funny that Carson's shoulder is covered in Everett's most recent batch of spit-up. At least it's in the bath!


Friday, January 8, 2010

Christmas Break 2009.

We headed to Utah again this Christmas. Somehow both my and Rick's entire sides of the family gathered there, so we got to see EVERYONE! I promise, neither of us grew up there.

We left an unusual but beautiful amount of snow in North Carolina.

First stop: Rick's parents new home. What a beautiful house! Here, Jeanel puts together a gingerbread house in the kitchen.
Carson loved many things about the house, one being Jack, the guard dog. He dragged Jack all over to "show him" different things.
Carson and Everett riding Jack's girlfriend, a pink rocking dog. (I realized that the quality of our pictures taken on this vacation stinks. No pictures of our kids with their grandparents, but plenty of them with large stuffed animals. We'll do better next time.)

Jana and Jaclyn helped Carson decorate another gingerbread house. Despite all their loving care to the boys, when I asked Carson who his favorite cousin was he said, "Justin. And... Jace." Two of his cousins that he probably spent the least time with. Oh well!

Landon and Rick help our boys play the piano. (Everett, by the way, is in love with pianos. He just sits there and plays his little heart out.)

Jeanel and her beautiful, curly new hair read a story to Ryker and Carson.
We spent a few nights at the Greer household. They were so kind to watch our boys one night while we went to a Jazz game with my family. Their kids could not get enough of our babies. Here, Wilson does "how big is a baby?" with Everett.

Cute, cute Santa!! He wore this on one flight to get to Utah. He didn't even need to earn cute points, though; he was SO good on the airplanes!!

We all wish we were little enough to sit on the table while decorating Christmas cookies.

We're not sure if Spencer's face is for the picture, or if this is a common expression of his.

Carson loved all the snow, the "big mountains!" and the cows and horses that we frequently saw in Payson. He imitates me all the time while talking to Rick, as if Rick were a little boy. In the car he would say sweetly, "Daddy, look out the window! You might see some horses!"

My sister Mackenzie took us to her barn to see the horses that she takes care of. Now whenever we mention her, Carson says she must be "turning out the horses."
This was a huge surprise. Carson has always had a love affair with animals in books and pictures, but an intense fear of them in person. This one-eyed cat showed up in the barn, and Carson was all over it, petting and hugging it. Where did that come from???

Christmas Eve at Tyler and Reagan's with their girly bunch was a blast! Ring-around-the rosy is always a favorite.

Little moochers.

My baby and me on Christmas morning. He loves his polar bear from Great-Gram.
This is the response to, "Who loves their crazy, cute pajamas made by Grandmama?"

Grandmama also gave some dress ups. Our cute little puppy!
Carson and Dallyn, or the puppy and the bee, play doctor.

Christmas Day was so fun and crazy with THREE two-year-olds, a three-year-old, and a baby!

So we definitely didn't take pictures of most things we did while in Utah, but some of our favorite moments included Carson getting to know his "Grandma GJ and Grandpa Sam," seeing the lights at temple square, the Otto family adults only party featuring the "Newlywed Game," shopping with Rick's mom, consuming all of their delicious and extravagant neighbor gifts, the home-made gift exchange on New Year's, eating our very first In-N-Out burger, the Jazz game, going to "Jumpin' Jacks", enjoying the amazing food made by my sisters on Christmas Eve, and experiencing the delight of some very thoughtful gifts that we will always cherish!